Members of the Isle of Wight Executive met last month to consider and vote on a community asset transfer of the Riverside Centre, a community hub based in Newport Quay that provides a range of services for disabled and non-disabled people.
As reported following the meeting, members approved the proposal for the transfer and agreed a 125-year lease arrangement for the Centre.
Long-running disputes
As far back as 2010, concerns had been raised about the Riverside Centre after the then-Conservative council, led by David Pugh, announced a series of funding cuts threatening its future.
What followed were years of dispute between the Isle of Wight council and the Riverside Centre over rent arrears and unpaid service provision amongst other things. Such was the acrimonious relationship, that at one point, the Isle of Wight council Chief Executive, Steve Beynon, took it upon himself to personally vet bookings at the Centre.
Transfer well overdue
Ownership of the Centre has long been disputed by many. As we were reminded in the 2012 Letter to the Editor from Mike Starke, the Riverside Centre was built in 1988, through public donations.
Several years later (1994) ownership was passed to the Isle of Wight council to aid VAT purposes, but paperwork presented by Vice Chair of WightMIND to OnTheWight in 2011 revealed that although directors were keen to return ownership of Centre once matters were concluded, this never happened.
Indeed, a comment left on Harry Rees’ Riverside Centre: “Mr Pugh please leave well alone” echoed that the trustees had gifted the building to the council to avoid VAT on the understanding that the council would then transfer it back to Riverside.
The letter below, shared with OnTheWight, expresses the intention for a transfer of ownership.
Click on image to see larger version
Future development of Newport Harbour
At June’s Executive meeting, Newport ward councillor, Julie Jones Evans expressed concern that the Community Asset Transfer might impact any future development plans for the Newport Harbour estate.
Managing director of the Isle of Wight council, Dave Burbage, was able to confirm the Riverside Centre was not part of that estate and the concern was not relevant to any decision-making.
Lack of review clauses disputed
Calls had been raised at the previous Scrutiny Committee for a 25 year review clause to be included in the contract.
It was expressed by several opposition members that a 125 year lease with no options for reviewing the position was foolish.
However, Executive member, Cllr Phil Jordan, rejected that suggestion, telling members,
“I think that would be a retrograde step. I think that the partnership and the tenants that move in need some kind of security.”
Cllr Gilbey, the Executive member responsible for bringing the paper forward, reminded members the council would be scrutinising annual reports produced by the Riverside Centre to ensure the service provision remained within the contract terms.
Once the Community Asset Transfer has gone ahead – in collaboration with Community Action – new Trustee arrangements will follow with Cllrs Smart and Lumley resigning from the Board.
The paperwork
Full papers detailing the transfer arrangements are embedded below. Click on full screen icon to see larger versions.
Image: Flazingo.com under CC BY 2.0
